Heralds Digest

  “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Praying according to God’s will or receiving answers to prayer is often the basis of believers’ frustration about the concerned nearness of God. And by further reflection on “ …while He may be found..and while He is near” , it is important to note that prayer is deeper and higher than just the believers’ call. The effectual prayer of believers is simply their responses to the Creator’s call. So, whenever an obedient believer is stirred by the Spirit to whisper a prayer, every positive response to this call is always the initiation of an answer to prayer. If we truly understand that our existence on earth and in every assignment with people, places, and project is strategically and purposefully orchestrated by God, then it would not be hard to learn how to always seek only for God’s attention and respond to His call in our prayers. And whenever it appears that our calls do not align per...

  ““There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭48:22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “ There is no peace…for the wicked” has different interpretations, depending on who originated the declaration. From the Lord’s perspective, it is a plea for reconciliation and an invitation to the path of peace. Unfortunately, whenever the heart of man is driven by wickedness, bitterness, and a vengeful spirit, he often quotes the same declaration out of context. Whereas, no one can possibly end wickedness with revenge and cruelty. And even those who seem to take the winner’s corner in every wicked venture do not have the luxury of enjoying the peace of mind. Every recovery by the takers of wicked vices sets the wicked heart on a new path of war. Therefore, the right perspective always is the peace path, says the Lord and our Redeemer from the wicked path. And anyone who truly desires peace of mind in life and relationships must learn how to sincerely follow peace with both God and man. Happy New ...

  “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Songs of redemption are always sweet to the ears, especially when song in isolation of the sentences from reconstruction. Barring the activities of evil workers and wicked imagination, sentences from reconstruction naturally cause delay, diversion, and discomfort. Notwithstanding, people understand the long term benefits of such good restructuring, reconstruction, and renovation in life. Unfortunately, life is often surrounded by secret sentences, when redeemers are tempted to doubt the benefits of their redemption. For example, when Judah was made to “ …pass through the waters…the rivers…and walk through the fire ”, the recommended rendition was apparently ‘God is your super Saviour and Redeemer alone; and unconcerned by the gods of your secret sentences ’. Likewise, when believers are genuinely concerned about being surrounded by secret sentences, l...

  “And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The TLC (tender loving care) myth on acceptable ways in life is not just about pleasure loving; the pleasure-seeking TLC is simply the embrace of the teachers louting class or the rejection of the presence of God in pursuit of life’s ambition. Whereas, good and balanced training in real life is always tough, tedious, and nothing but tender. TLC in God’s perspective is a teachers learning class, where students learn to be good teachers, children learn to be good parents, and servants learn to be good masters. Unfortunately, we now live in days where tedious training, bread of adversity, and the water of affliction are treated with utmost disdain. When painless gain is considered as the permissible Will of God. Little wonders why the world no longer has good role models for hon...

  “The way of the just is uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just. Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your name And for the remembrance of You.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:7-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ By the scriptural dissociation of trusting in the Lord from human understanding, it shows that the path of uprightness in life is solely in the Most Upright. Human understanding has always and will always lead those who trust in it astray. Whereas, the upright undertaking of the just may temporarily appears foolish, failing, and falling out of the favour of the majority; but it is taken that the path of the just is often complicated with peace, purity, and patience. While the motives of human understanding are clearly covered by personal interests, safety, and promotion, the desire of those who pursue uprightness is solely in the glory of the Lord and the remembrance of His grace. Therefore, the paths laced with the upright undertak...

  “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”” Isaiah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Diligence in business is a commendable ethic, naturally for progress and procession in life. Even by scriptural standard, this act of seriousness represents a necessary requirement for standing before kings. Unfortunately, the King of kings needs more than serious servants. Such was prophet Isaiah before his encounter with the Lord and his appearance for purging from being undone. Seriousness with sin or self-centeredness may pass as smartness before men; but the holy Hill of God is restricted and reserved for those who are accredited as sent servants of the most High. When we are just serious, we merely have work to do for the Lord; but when we become sent servants, that is when God has schedule of work assigned for us. Even in believer’s day-to-day activities, family engagement, and business attachments, it is better to be sure of G...

  “Upon every high tower, And upon every fortified wall; Upon all the ships of Tarshish, And upon all the beautiful sloops. The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, And the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; The Lord alone will be exalted in that day”Isaiah‬ ‭2:15-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Just like everyone understands the selfish drive behind the implementation of local standards, the scriptural standard on all aspects of relationships between God and man is devoid of segregated manipulation. Notwithstanding, every insincere standard has its deep-seated and self-centred motivation around pride and the promotion of superiority complex. And unless by the special grace of God, even the homes, public and private affairs of the redeemed of the Lord are tempted to operate on the segregated standards. God’s standard on holiness, righteousness, relationships, etc, is clearly revealed in His words; and activated by a pure ascension into His presence. Unfortunately, it is possible for an elevated...